Unless you lived under a rock in 2009, escaping the smash single “You’re Going Down” by Australian alternative rock trio Sick Puppies was nearly impossible. The colossal active rock-tinged track from their third studio album Tri-Polar would propel the band to the top of the charts, scoring the number one spot on rock radio. It would launch the band from humble beginnings dating back to 1997 into the stratosphere, score them high-profile tours with Incubus, Tool, and many other major acts, and become a mainstage act of their own. Sick Puppies would continue to dominate the festival circuit and release one more album titled Connect in the subsequent years, however, the band would experience a significant lineup change with the departure of founding vocalist and guitarist Shimon Moore in 2014 to the shock of their diehard fanbase and signal a very uncertain future.
While losing a prominent frontman and songwriter could quickly derail any career, miraculously, Sick Puppies forged a path forward, spearheaded by bassist and sole original member Emma Anzai (who also became Evanescence’s full-time bassist in 2022) along with drummer Mark Goodwin and enlisted frontman and guitarist Bryan Scott to replace Moore’s critical position. Sick Puppies would waste no time on their comeback and release their fifth studio album, Fury, in 2016, and soon begin the process of reclaiming their spot at the top of the rock scene. However, just as things were starting to fall back into place, Sick Puppies and the rest of the world were faced with the unexpected and detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, once again bringing their upward momentum to a standstill.
Thankfully, instead of giving in to defeat, Sick Puppies did what they have always known best: persevere and move forward no matter what. Using their time hunkered down during the midst of the pandemic, Sick Puppies would put together the songs that would eventually make up their upcoming sixth studio album and first in nearly nine years, Wave The Bull, to be released in 2025. Wave The Bull, their first attempt at a concept record, is thematically tied to their history as a band spent navigating obstacles, accepting them, and fighting hard no matter the cost to come out on the other side more vital than ever. Following the release of the brand new anthemic singles, “There Goes The Neighborhood” and “Going Places,” it is abundantly clear that Sick Puppies are firing on all cylinders once again and entering what is perhaps their most reinvigorated era yet.
On the eve of the release of their first studio album in nearly nine years, we sat down with bassist and sole original member of Sick Puppies, Emma Anzai to discuss the band’s comeback album Wave The Bull, persevering through obstacles, her current tenure as Evanescene’s touring bassist, staying inspired as an artist for over thirty years and more.
Wave The Bull, which drops next year in 2025, will mark the first new album from Sick Puppies in nearly nine years. What has the last near-decade been like in the world of Sick Puppies and why does now feel like the right time to return and do a new record?
Emma Anzai: That’s a good question, because it did take long. I suppose it was a series of things including getting the right label home which took a while and then the pandemic happened which threw everything up in the air. It also didn’t feel right with certain things, but once we found our new label it just felt right. When we were writing, we were also trying to find our sound. We were experimenting a lot after Fury (2016) and because that happened so fast we were like, What can we do next? which I think contributed to that [period of] time.
Wave The Bull is also the first concept record in Sick Puppies’ discography and incorporates the use of color and lyrical themes to segment the album’s overall story arch. What was the process of coming up with this concept and then executing it?
Anzai: It wasn’t done altogether, everything came together afterwards. We were writing the songs and so many of them were so different from each other so we were like How do we tie this in? But once we got the album title Wave The Bull, it made us think about fighting and the definition which is to try to overcome shit that is hard in life and no to be afraid and face it with some courage knowing that it's inevitable.
Out of the three thematic segments for the album: The Omen Tracks, The Fight Tracks and The Aftermath tracks was there a particular segment that you found the easiest to explore from a personal and sonic level and on the inverse, which was the most challenging?
Anzai: It wasn’t necessarily challenging, it actually came naturally. As a band though, we are very aggressive naturally, especially with our live show so those type of songs definitely came the easiest.
You mention that the concept behind Wave The Bull is to face tragedy and hardships head-on no matter the fear or the cost. What are some of the events and emotions you are attempting to exorcize with this album both personally and collectively as a band? Do you feel like this was therapeutic and validating once you actually completed it?
Anzai: Yes, absolutely. During the pandemic a lot of bands didn’t make it through that time depending on where they were at and depending on their situation and dare I say we were almost one of those bands. It really threw everything up in the air, so I think the fact that we were questioning things and fast forward to us finally releasing music, it wouldn’t have felt right to push it and do it then. It was a good lesson to weather it and then wait for the right time.
Your latest single “Going Places” just dropped. What do you hope listeners will take away from the overall message?
Anzai: It’s just about that feeling of hopelessness and being fed up when you are stuck. We’ve all been there and we may be there again but it’s one of those songs that is cathartic to help get that out and just say Fuck it!
As an artist who has achieved countless rock radio hits, including a number one single with “You’re Going down” In a rapidly changing music industry, what do you make of the state of rock and roll today and where would you like to see it evolve?
Anzai: I think it’s cool that the genres are just splitting. Back then it was either rock or metal, but now there are all of these new subgenres which I think is really cool and allows for so much more new music now. Being able to record on your laptop, we’re getting artists you would have never heard of from the other side of the world releasing music through social media and you can discover it in seconds and not need anything else.
With the band initially forming in 1997, you’ve experienced everything from a rapidly changing music industry landscape since you were first signed, we’re thrusted into the mainstream fast and now have built a diehard fanbase. How do you feel now versus back then and is the fire still inside of you the same way as it was during those early years
Anzai: The fire is still there, but the perspective changes. Back then, you’re full of angst and wanting to prove yourself. When you’re younger, you come out swinging and want to make an impact. All these years later, we’ve gone through the peaks and troughs of life and our career, lineup changes and now there is a lot to process. I think there’s just more of a quiet admiration for being able to do this still, that’s the amazing part because it’s very easy to quit.
During your hiatus from Sick Puppies, you also joined Evanescence full time as their bassist. How did this come about, and is there anything from this experience that has influenced your approach to Sick Puppies now?
Anzai: It’s interesting to go from doing something for so many reasons from high school until now and then going and doing something else and seeing how that goes. There is a big difference and there’s a lot of similarities too. What I really like about Evanescence is that they are really cool people and have been doing this for a long time too and have gone through the peaks and troughs too. I think it’s important to keep it real and they certainly do that. I also love how there is always a connection to the audience and how Amy Lee does that. They haven’t lost that [spark] and seeing the connection they have with their fans is really inspiring.
Are there any fashion brands that you are currently digging? Additionally, what influences your style and how do you apply it for your stage outfits?
Anzai: I really like this brand called DEMOBAZA from Bulgaria. It’s just something that’s a little different and their stuff is kind of post-apocalyptic looking. I really like their pants and I love how detailed their stitching is. As far as what influences my style, I usually just see stuff in movies and look it up. [Laughs.]
Watch the music video for Sick Puppies' new single "Going Places" below.
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